Combination chair and ladder



June 11,1929.

M. N. JOHNSON COMBINATION CHAIR-AND LADDER Filed May 11, 1928 INVEN TOR.

BY mm M ATTORNEY.

Patented June 11, 1929.

MARTIN N. JOHNSON, or MoLIivn, ILLINOIS.

COMBINATION CHAIRAND LADDER.

Application filed May 11,

My invention has reference to a combined chair and ladder, and is morespecially designed for use in connection with some of the occupations ofthe kitchen, such as preparing vegetables, washing dishes and the like,and for ironing clothes. The device is made chiefly of metal, is strongand durable, and can be produced at a relatively low cost. It is readilyconvertible into a small step-ladder, for use in washingwindows,'hanging curtains and the like, or for doing'other work at aheight from the floor which'is ordinarily out of reach. In its ordinaryuse as a chair the device is made of more than the usual height of a.chair, so that it is convenient for use at a sink or table, inconnection with which the usual chair not of a comfortable height.

in the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows the invention in perspective, when in use as a chair.

Fig. 2 shows the same in vertical section.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof, in use as a. step ladder.

The invention comprises a frame, including rear legs 1 and front legs 2,of angle-plate formation, united at the sides by braces 3 and a, and atthe rear by cross-bars 5 andfi. Said braces and bars are ofchannel-plate construction, with the openings thereof inwardly, and inthe front ends of the braces 4 is a step 7, connected with the legs 2 bybrackets 8. Hinged to the legs 1, as at a is a seat 9, formed of sheetmetal, with a down wardly turned flange at its edges which encloses theupper part of the frame, when used as a. chair. A hack 1.2 is connectedwith the sides of the seat by a pair of braces 13, having a pivotalconnection with both the back and seat. The lower ends of theside-pieces of the back are held releasably in place by keepers 14 fixedon the bar 5 near the ends thereof. The low-er part of the back isfoldably connected with the frame by means of rods 16, which foldupwardly against the back of the frame when thedevice is in use as achair.

For use as a ladder the seat istipped rearwardly as shown in Fig. 3, theouter part of the seat being supported on the upper part of the back 12,the side-pieces of the back being provided with pins 17 for connectionwith snaps 18 in the seat. The reversal of 1928. Serial NO. 276',S38.

the position of the seat makes it possible to make use of the step 7, aswell as of a step 15 supported at its ends in the braces 3, and a topstep 19 supported'in upper channel-plates 20 of the frame. It is therebypossible to mount to the step 19 andstand thereon for purposes beforementioned. The seats 15 and 1.9 are also secured to the braces at theirends so as to form cross-braces, and the bars 20 at the top of the frameare sufiiciently rigid to provide an additional support for one of thefeet of the user of the ladder to steady the position on the upper step.

In its inverted position the seat 10 provides a support for a pail orother article, in use by the. person using the ladder, this supportbeing of a tray formation, protecting the floor beneath from water whichmight drip from the pail orcleaning cloths.

The lower ends of the legs 1 and 2 are preferably formed with feet 22ofnon-abrasive material, and the lower ends of the side-pieces of theback 12 are fitted with rubber tips 23.

The device is of suitable height to form a. half-high-chair, and can beused as such by children. The steps 7, 15, and 19 are shown as beingformed of wood or other solid material, the other parts of the chairbeing formed entirely of metal, and metal steps can be substituted forthe ones shown, if desired. \Vhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: v p

1. A device of the class described, comprising a. frame, a series ofsteps in one side thereof, a seat hinged to said frame, and

movable away from the steps into an invert.- ed position, a back forsaid seatand braces pivotally connecting the back and seat,=bracesconnecting the back foldably with said frame, and retaining means forthe lower on d of the back when in use as a back, said back I being in asubstantially vertical position at all times. I

.2. A device of the class described, comprising a frame, a plurality ofsteps in one of its sides, a seat hinged to said frame, and invertibleinto a support at one side thereof, out of the way of said steps, and anauxiliary frame, foldably connected with said first named frame andseat, forming a back for the seat when used as a seat, and a supporttherefor, when in an inverted position.

In a. device of the class described, a

a support therefor When the seat is turned outwardly, cooperatlnglocking means on said back and seat, and means on said frame 1 forretaining the lower end of the back when 111 its normal position.

In testimony whereof I alfix my slgnature.

MARTIN N. JOHNSON.

